Saffron Production In Afghanistan To Exceed Over 4,000 kg This Year

The production of saffron in Afghanistan is expected to surpass 4,000 kg this year with the officials expressing optimisms that the production boost could help the Afghan farmers replace the illicit opium cultivation.

According to Government Media and Information Center (GMIC) the latest prediction comes in line with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani’s commitment to support the agriculture sector.

Citing the economic experts, GMIC said the increase in saffron production could help the farmers to boost their income by opting legal cultivation over illicit products, including opium.

The report by GMIC further added saffron cultivation will not only help the Afghan farmers increase their income but will help Afghanistan become self-sufficient with the export of the product, besides production and export of other agricultural products.

The International Taste & Quality Institute in the Belgian capital of Brussels named Afghanistan’s saffron the best in the world for the third consecutive year in mid 2015.
The award, in the form of a three star certificate, was given to Afghanistan saffron after testing some 300 samples.